Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) is one of those rare holidays where a few well-chosen words can instantly make someone feel seen, respected, and genuinely wished well.
For businesses, Chinese New Year greetings are more than festive small talk. It’s one of the few moments in the year where reaching out doesn’t feel transactional. A short wish to clients, partners, suppliers, and your own team signals respect, gratitude, and a mindset of “we’re in this for the long run,” which is exactly what strong businesses are built on.
But beyond work, Chinese New Year greetings matter for a simpler reason: they help you show up for people. In family settings, the right greeting is a way of honouring elders, keeping traditions alive, and reminding those you love that you’re wishing them health, peace, and a smoother year ahead. And in social gatherings, it’s the easiest icebreaker. It is the warm line that instantly sets a positive tone, even if you haven’t met someone in years.
Whether you’re messaging a friend, writing a card, or greeting clients, the importance of Chinese New Year greetings in this contextual setting can’t be stressed enough.
So, as Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, which also marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse, we’ve compiled a list of practical & copy-paste-ready greetings that you can personalise and customise as you wish!
Quick Picks: 10 “Safe for Anyone” Chinese New Year Wishes
It’s alright if you only remember a few; it can get quite complicated. So, use these 10 greetings that are universally great for family, colleagues, and most social settings:
- 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè) - Happy New Year
- 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) - Wishing you prosperity
- 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) - May everything go as you wish
- 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) - May your wishes come true
- 身体健康 (shēn tǐ jiàn kāng) - Wishing you good health
- 阖家幸福 (hé jiā xìng fú) - Wishing your family happiness
- 年年有余 (nián nián yǒu yú) - May you have abundance every year
- 大吉大利 (dà jí dà lì) - Great luck and great fortune
- 一帆风顺 (yī fān fēng shùn) - May everything go smoothly
- 步步高升 (bù bù gāo shēng) - Step-by-step promotion/progress
Traditional Chinese New Year Greetings in Chinese
Moving on to more traditional greetings, these are phrases that are usually used in the first 5 days of Chinese New Year, especially during family reunions & visits (bài nián).
Wealth & prosperity
Use these when you want the classic “good fortune” vibe, especially common in business contexts.
- 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) - Wishing you wealth and prosperity
Best for: everyone (super common) - 财源广进 (cái yuán guǎng jìn) - May money flow in from all directions
Best for: clients, business owners, colleagues - 招财进宝 (zhāo cái jìn bǎo) - May wealth and treasures come in
Best for: business owners, shop owners - 一本万利 (yī běn wàn lì) - Small capital, huge profit (BIG returns)
Best for: entrepreneurs, investors - 财源滚滚 (cái yuán gǔn gǔn) - May wealth come rolling in
Best for: colleagues, friends, business partners - 吉星高照 (jí xīng gāo zhào) - May good fortune shine upon you
Best for: elders, family, clients
Health, peace & happiness
These greetings are warm and universally appreciated. Use them for family occasions, especially when greeting the older generations.
- 身体健康 (shēn tǐ jiàn kāng) - Wishing you good health
Best for: elders, family, anyone - 出入平安 (chū rù píng ān) - Peace and safety wherever you go
Best for: travellers, family - 笑口常开 (xiào kǒu cháng kāi) - May you smile often
Best for: friends, colleagues - 福寿双全 (fú shòu shuāng quán) - Blessings and longevity
Best for: elders, parents - 阖家幸福 (hé jiā xìng fú) - May your whole family be happy
Best for: families, relatives
Success & progress
Perfect for work, studies, and career-related wishes.
- 事业有成 (shì yè yǒu chéng) - Success in your career
Best for: colleagues, friends - 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) - Instant success
Best for: anyone pursuing goals - 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) - Growing better day by day
Best for: business owners, teams - 生意兴隆 (shēng yì xīng lóng) - May business flourish
Best for: clients, entrepreneurs - 步步高升 (bù bù gāo shēng) - Rise step by step (promotion)
Best for: bosses/mentors, colleagues
Overview of Chinese Greetings for the Year of the Horse
Now, if you want to personalise your greetings further, the best way to do that is to utilise the zodiac year and the representing element of that year. For example, 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse, which is often associated with energy, momentum, freedom, and bold progress.
These lines below are great when you want something more “2026-specific.” (And yes: the Year of the Fire Horse begins 17 Feb 2026.)
Classic Four-Character Idioms
These are formal, traditional phrases suitable for almost any situation.
- 马到成功 (Mǎ Dào Chéng Gōng)
- Meaning: Instant success. (Literally: "Where the horse arrives, success follows.")
- Usage: Wishing someone a smooth and immediately successful endeavor.
- 龙马精神 (Lóng Mǎ Jīng Shén)
- Meaning: Boundless vitality and good health. (Literally: "Spirit of a dragon and horse.")
- Usage: Often used for elders or to wish someone great energy.
- 一马当先 (Yī Mǎ Dāng Xiān)
- Meaning: Taking the lead. (Literally: "One horse at the forefront.")
- Usage: Wishing someone leadership and being number one in their field.
- 万马奔腾 (Wàn Mǎ Bēn Téng)
- Meaning: Magnificent momentum and prosperity. (Literally: "Ten thousand horses galloping.")
- Usage: Describing a flourishing age or grand business growth.
- 金马迎春 (Jīn Mǎ Yíng Chūn)
- Meaning: The Golden Horse welcomes the Spring.
- Usage: A standard Lunar New Year greeting specifically for this zodiac year.
- 骏业宏开 / 駿業騰飛 (Jùn Yè Hóng Kāi)
- Meaning: Grand opening or rapid development of a business.
- Usage: Specifically for business owners or corporate settings.
Creative Puns & Slogans
Playful phrases that use the "Ma" sound (Horse) to represent "Immediately" or "Power."
- 马（马上）好
- Meaning: May your life get better immediately. (Wishing for a worry-free life).
- 马到福到
- Meaning: When the Horse arrives, fortune arrives.
- 马力全开
- Meaning: Full horsepower! (Wishing you full energy and efficiency).
- 幸福“马”不停蹄
- Meaning: May happiness be non-stop (like the unceasing galloping of a horse).
- “马上”心想事成
- Meaning: May all your wishes come true immediately.
- 马年到，福气绕
- Meaning: The Horse Year is here; may good fortune surround you.
For Focusing on health, peace, and longevity:
- 马年福至，康健如骏
- Meaning: Luck arrives in the Horse Year; may your health be as robust as a steed.
- 马蹄声声报平安
- Meaning: The sound of hoofbeats announces peace and safety for the year.
- 龙马精神，福寿安康
- Meaning: Wishing you the vitality of the dragon and horse, with longevity and health.
For focusing on career advancement and business growth:
- 骏业鸿开，大展宏图
- Meaning: Wishing for a flourishing business and the realization of grand plans.
- 马年合作愉快
- Meaning: Looking forward to a happy cooperation in the Year of the Horse.
- 一马当先，步步高升
- Meaning: May you lead the pack and rise step-by-step (get promoted).
For focusing on fun, wealth, and energy:
- 马年好运跑进家
- Meaning: May good luck run right into your home this Horse Year.
- 有“马”有“有”
- Meaning: A pun on "You Ma You You" (Having horses and oil/wealth). It implies having both resources and riches.
- 祝你新年“马”力十足
- Meaning: Wishing you a New Year filled with full "horsepower" and energy.
Modern Lunar New Year Messages (WhatsApp / IG / WeChat-ready)
Short, friendly, modern. Perfect for your group of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances:
- “Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you health, peace, and plenty of good luck.”
- “New year, new energy. Hope 2026 brings you progress and joy.”
- “Wishing you a calm mind, a strong body, and a better year ahead.”
- “May your year be full of good news and small wins every week.”
- “Happy CNY! May your family be safe, healthy, and happy.”
- “Here’s to a brighter year with more laughter & less stress!”
- “Wishing you abundance, not just in money, but time and peace too.”
- “Happy Lunar New Year! May everything go your way this year.”
- “May your hard work pay off in 2026.”
- “祝你新年快乐，万事如意! (Happy New Year, may all go well!)”
Professional Greetings for Clients & Bosses
Use these for email, LinkedIn, or client WhatsApps as they are polite and clean. An added tip is to pair these wishes with the Chinese pinyin phrases found above for the best results!
For clients/partners (formal):
- “Wishing you and your team a prosperous Lunar New Year and continued success in 2026.”
- “Happy Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Horse bring your business growth, stability, and new opportunities.”
- “Warm wishes for a successful year ahead filled with good health, progress, and prosperity.”
- “May this Lunar New Year bring peace, strong partnerships, and excellent results.”
- “Wishing you a smooth and rewarding 2026. 新年快乐, 万事如意!”
For your boss/leaders:
- “Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you good health, smooth progress, and a great year ahead.”
- “Wishing you a successful Year of the Horse! May there be strong growth and momentum this year.”
- “Thank you for your guidance! I wish you great prosperity and peace this coming new year.”
Greeting Card Messages
In an age where most greetings are done online, people might forget about greeting cards, but they are still extremely important, especially when gifts are given alongside!
1) Formal (client/partner)
“Happy Lunar New Year. Wishing you and your family good health and peace, and wishing your business continued growth and prosperity in 2026.”
2) Warm family message
“新年快乐! Thank you for always being there. Wishing our family good health, happiness, and a year filled with blessings.”
3) Friends/colleagues
“Happy Chinese New Year! Wishing you a smoother year ahead, filled with more wins, more joy, and lots of good luck.”
4) Short minimalist
“新年快乐. Wishing you the best of health, happiness, and prosperity in 2026!”
With these Chinese New Year wishes ready to go, you’ll never be stuck awkwardly searching for the “right words” again. Whether it’s a quick WhatsApp, a greeting card, or a toast at the dinner table, you’ll be prepared to surprise your family/friends/colleagues with your deep Chinese New Year knowledge. Just keep a few favorites on hand, show up with sincerity (and maybe a pair of mandarin oranges), and you’ll be set for a meaningful Year of the Horse!
Final Thoughts: Ready for the Year of the Horse
Language is the key to culture, and a well-timed greeting can set the tone for the entire year. With this guide, you are now equipped to navigate the Year of the Fire Horse with confidence, whether you are signing a corporate email, writing a heartfelt card, or toasting at a reunion dinner.
Don’t be afraid to mix the traditional with the creative. Use the energy of the Horse to wish your circle speed, vitality, and success. From all of us at Newtopedia, we wish you a year of momentum and prosperity. Happy Lunar New Year!